"Town Of Golden Rule Name Booming Trade Center"

From the Bossier Banner-Progress issue of January 1, 1959 the following short description of Plain Dealing appeared.

“Plain Dealing, the simplest name for [the] Golden Rule, passed on from Gilmer’s Plantation to the incorporated village in 1888, has continuously been the guiding motto in the minds of her citizenry since that day.”

“Today, January 1, 1959, we see that same municipality, a fast growing town, featuring that principle in the greatest trade expansion in its history.  There seems to be a real upsurge in the enthusiasm of all of our business firms and with it a real appreciation for the growing sentiment among our people that home trading is by far better especially when we have all commodities easily available and at prices that are certainly not excelled for savings.”

“By way of diverging, it seems that just the wear and tear from Benton north, by far over balances any savings that could be found on the ordinary household buyings.  In this matter we checked with the best prices offered in Shreveport metropolitan area and the balance seemed to fall in favor of Plain Dealing.”

“It isn’t a case of people being strange.  They, like all of us, like to be appreciated and that is just what adherence to the Golden Rule ideal implies.”

“In talking to one of our bustling young businessmen recently, he said. ‘Mr. Phillips we really appreciate the new business we are receiving and we do our best to make them know it.  We just like new friends, too.”

“We predict that this new year will be the greatest in Plain Dealing history in which event we all should be most grateful and in humility offer out thanks to a beneficent Providence.”

Plain Dealing did experience at least one history-making event from 1951 to 1990.  The articles of incorporation for Plain Dealing Dogwood Drive were approved by the Louisiana Secretary of State in November of 1951.  The popular festivities were observed until 1990.

Mary Wheeler Corley collection: 2003.026.112

For more information about Plain Dealing and Plain Dealing Dogwood Drive visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.

By: Ann Middleton